Carbohydrate composition derived from broad-leaved trees

Abstract

Disclosed is a hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition containing 88 to 99.75% by weight of monomeric sugars. This monomeric sugar contains 55 to 85% by weight of monomeric xylose. The carbonyl content of this carbohydrate composition is 10 to 1500 μg / g based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition. Further disclosed are a method for producing this hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition and its use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition containing monomeric sugars. Further, the present disclosure relates to a method for producing this hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition. Further, the present disclosure relates to the use of this hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition.

Background Art

[0002] Various methods are known for converting bio-based raw materials such as lignocellulosic biomass into liquid streams of various sugars. It still remains a challenge for researchers to provide a sufficiently pure carbohydrate composition having properties suitable for further applications, such as the production of glycol, ethanol, or xylitol.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] A hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition is disclosed. This hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition contains monomeric sugars in an amount of 88 to 99.75% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition, and this monomeric sugar contains monomeric xylose. The amount of monomeric xylose in this carbohydrate composition is 55 to 85% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition. The carbonyl content of the carbohydrate composition is 10 to 1500 μg / g based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition.

[0004] Furthermore, a method for producing a hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition as defined in the present application is disclosed, and this method includes i) providing a feedstock of hardwood-derived carbohydrates in the form of a liquid fraction having a total dry matter content of 7 to 13% by weight; ii) adjusting the pH of the feedstock of the hardwood-derived carbohydrates to a pH value of 2.2 to 3.0; iii) subjecting the feedstock having a pH value of 2.2 to 3.0 to evaporation until the total dry matter content of the feedstock reaches 45 to 55% by weight; iv) a step of adjusting the pH of the feedstock after evaporation to a pH value of 5.5 to 7.5; v) a step of subjecting the feedstock having a pH value of 5.5 to 7.5 to a chromatography treatment by using a strong acid cation exchange resin; vi) a step of subjecting the feedstock subjected to the chromatography treatment to a decolorization treatment; vii) a step of subjecting the feedstock of the hardwood-derived carbohydrate subjected to the decolorization treatment to an ion exchange treatment; viii) a step of subjecting the feedstock subjected to the ion exchange treatment to evaporation until the total dry matter content of the feedstock becomes 30 to 80% by weight and producing the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition.

[0005] Furthermore, the use of the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition disclosed herein for producing sugar alcohol and / or glycol in a catalytic hydrogenation process, for recovering rare sugars, or for producing sweeteners in a fermentation process is disclosed. Furthermore, the use of the method is disclosed.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0006] A hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition is disclosed. This hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition contains monomeric sugars in an amount of 88 to 99.75% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition, and the monomeric sugars include monomeric xylose. The amount of monomeric xylose in this carbohydrate composition is 55 to 85% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition. The carbonyl content of this carbohydrate composition is 10 to 1500 μg / g based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition.

[0007] The hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition may be in a liquid or liquid form. The method disclosed herein may produce a hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition in a liquid form.

[0008] Furthermore, a method for producing a hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition defined in the present application is disclosed, and this method i) Providing a feedstock of hardwood-derived carbohydrates in the form of a liquid fraction having a total dry matter content of 7 to 13% by weight; ii) Adjusting the pH of the feedstock of hardwood-derived carbohydrates to a pH value of 2.2 to 3.0; iii) Subjecting the feedstock having a pH value of 2.2 to 3.0 to evaporation until the total dry matter content of the feedstock reaches 45 to 55% by weight; iv) Adjusting the pH of the feedstock after evaporation to a pH value of 5.5 to 7.5; v) Subjecting the feedstock having a pH value of 5.5 to 7.5 to chromatographic treatment using a strong acid cation exchange resin; vi) Subjecting the chromatographically treated feedstock to a decolorization treatment; vii) Subjecting the feedstock of hardwood-derived carbohydrates subjected to the decolorization treatment to an ion exchange treatment; viii) Subjecting the chromatographically treated feedstock to evaporation until the total dry matter content of the feedstock reaches 30 to 80% by weight and producing the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition.

[0009] In one embodiment, steps i), ii), iii), iv), v), vi), vii), and viii) are carried out sequentially in this order. In one embodiment, steps i), ii), iii), iv), v), vi), vii), and viii) are carried out sequentially in this order, and no additional steps are carried out between them.

[0010] Furthermore, the use of the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition disclosed herein in a fermentation process, in a catalytic hydrogenation process for producing sugar alcohols and / or glycols, for the recovery of oligosaccharides, or for the production of sweeteners is disclosed. This fermentation process may be, for example, ethanol fermentation or glycol fermentation. The catalytic process may include, for example, catalytic conversion for the production of glycol. Examples of oligosaccharides may include mannose, rhamnose, galactose, and arabinose. The sweetener may be, for example, xylitol or xylose. In one embodiment, the production of the sweetener includes the crystallization of xylose from the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition. In one embodiment, the sweetener is xylose in the form of crystals or syrup.

[0011] In one embodiment, the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition is a sweetener composition. In one embodiment, the method for producing the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition is a method for producing a sweetener composition.

[0012] Furthermore, the use of the method disclosed herein for reducing the amount of soluble lignin in a hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition to reduce the precipitation of lignin during storage and / or transportation of the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition is disclosed.

[0013] Furthermore, a hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition obtainable by the method disclosed herein is disclosed. In one embodiment, the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition obtainable by the method disclosed herein is the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition disclosed herein. That is, the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition disclosed herein may be produced by the method disclosed herein.

[0014] The hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition may be a carbohydrate composition derived from beech, a carbohydrate composition derived from oak, a carbohydrate composition derived from eucalyptus wood, or a carbohydrate composition derived from aspen wood, or the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition may be a combination of these, or a combination of these and other hardwood species. In one embodiment, the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition is a carbohydrate composition derived from beech, a carbohydrate composition derived from oak, a carbohydrate composition derived from eucalyptus wood, or a carbohydrate composition derived from aspen wood. In one embodiment, the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition is a carbohydrate composition derived from beech.

[0015] The hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition disclosed herein relates to a composition that contains carbohydrates but may further contain, for example, additional components and / or elements disclosed herein. Thus, the "hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition" may be considered the "hardwood-derived carbohydrate-containing composition" or the "hardwood-derived composition containing carbohydrates".

[0016] The amounts of monomeric sugars (monosaccharides), i.e., monomeric C5 sugars and monomeric C6 sugars, and oligomeric sugars (oligosaccharides), i.e., oligomeric C5 sugars and oligomeric C6 sugars, may be determined both qualitatively and quantitatively by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) by comparison with a standard sample. Examples of the analytical methods can be found, for example, in Sluiter, A. et al., "Determination of sugars, byproducts, and degradation products in liquid fraction process samples", Technical Report, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2008, and Sluiter, A. et al., "Determination of Structural Carbohydrates and Lignin in Biomass", Technical Report, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Revised Edition 2012.

[0017] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, any weight percentage is given as a percentage of the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition. Similarly, other weight fractions (such as ppm, etc.) may indicate the fraction of the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition, unless otherwise specified.

[0018] The expression "C5 sugar" should be understood herein, unless otherwise stated, to refer to xylose, arabinose, or any mixture or combination thereof. The expression "C6 sugar" should be understood herein, unless otherwise stated, to refer to glucose, galactose, mannose, fructose, or any mixture or combination thereof. The expression that a sugar is "monomeric" should be understood herein, unless otherwise stated, to refer to a sugar molecule that exists as a monomer, i.e., a sugar molecule that is not bound or linked to any other sugar molecule.

[0019] In this specification, the amounts of different components / elements in the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition are presented as weight percentages based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition.

[0020] The expression "total dry matter content" may refer to the total amount of solids including soluble solids or dissolved solids. The hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition may not contain suspended solids and may contain only soluble solids.

[0021] In this specification, the term "total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition" may refer to the weight of the carbohydrate composition determined, for example, by removing any solid particles or solid materials from the carbohydrate composition by filtration and subjecting the filtrate to drying at a temperature of 45 °C for 24 hours. The effectiveness of the drying may be ensured by weighing the sample, drying it for an additional 2 hours at the specified temperature, and weighing the sample again. If the measured weights are the same, the drying is complete and the total weight may be recorded.

[0022] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the total amount of different components / elements in the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition may not exceed 100% by weight. The amounts in weight % of different components / elements in the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition may vary within a given range.

[0023] In one embodiment, the amount of monomeric xylose in the carbohydrate composition is 60 - 80% by weight, or 62.5 - 75% by weight, based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition.

[0024] In one embodiment, the carbonyl content of the carbohydrate composition is 15 - 1000 μg / g, or 20 - 750 μg / g, or 25 - 500 μg / g, or 30 - 300 μg / g, based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition. The expression "carbonyl content" may be regarded as the content of carbonyl compounds containing a functional group consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom, i.e., C=O. The carbonyl group is common to several classes of organic compounds as part of many larger functional groups. Compounds containing a carbonyl group are often called carbonyl compounds. Examples of compounds containing a carbonyl group in their structure may include aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids. The carbonyl content in the carbohydrate composition may be determined according to standard ASTM E411-05(2009).

[0025] The hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition has the additional utility of containing only a small amount of carbonyl groups. As a result, for example, when there are fewer carbonyl groups that cause harmful side reactions, the fermentation of the carbohydrate composition proceeds more smoothly.

[0026] In one embodiment, the carbohydrate composition exhibits an ICUMSA color value of 10 - 2500 IU, or 20 - 2000 IU, or 30 - 1500 IU, or 40 - 1000 IU, or 50 - 500 IU. The ICUMSA color value may be measured using the modified ICUMSA GS1 method without adjusting the pH of the sample to be analyzed and without filtering the sample through a 0.45 μm filter prior to analysis. The measurement is performed at room temperature, and the pH of the carbohydrate composition is 2.2 - 3.

[0027] In one embodiment, the carbohydrate composition contains soluble lignin in an amount of 0.05 - 2.0 wt%, or 0.1 - 1.5 wt%, or 0.15 - 1.0 wt%, or 0.20 - 0.5 wt% based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition. The presence of soluble lignin in the carbohydrate composition can be evidence that the carbohydrate composition is derived from wood.

[0028] The amount of soluble lignin may be determined by UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy as follows. The amount of soluble lignin present in the carbohydrate composition is determined by diluting a sample of the carbohydrate composition such that its absorbance at 205 nm is 0.2 - 0.7 AU when compared to a reference sample of pure water and using a cuvette with a path length of 1 cm. Then, the soluble lignin content of the sample in mg / l units may be calculated using the following formula.

Equation

[0029] The total dry matter content of the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition may be 8 - 80 wt%, or 15 - 75 wt%, or 20 - 70 wt% when measured after drying at a temperature of 45 °C for 24 hours.

[0030] In one embodiment, the electrical conductivity of a 65% aqueous solution of the carbohydrate composition is 0.1 to 30 μS / cm, or 0.2 to 20 μS / cm, or 0.3 to 10 μS / cm, or 0.4 to 5 μS / cm, or 0.5 to 2.5 mS / cm when determined according to SFS-EN 27888 (1994).

[0031] In one embodiment, the carbohydrate composition contains rhamnose in an amount of 0.2 to 7% by weight, or 0.4 to 5% by weight, or 0.6 to 3.0% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition. The amount of rhamnose may be determined by high performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric (pulsed current) detection (HPAE-PAD).

[0032] In one embodiment, the carbohydrate composition contains carboxylic acid in a total amount of up to 1.5% by weight, or up to 1% by weight, or up to 0.5% by weight, or up to 0.25% by weight, or up to 0.1% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition.

[0033] In one embodiment, the carbohydrate composition contains monomeric sugars in a total amount of 88 to 99.75% by weight, or 90 to 99.5% by weight, or 92 to 99.25% by weight, or 94 to 99% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition.

[0034] In one embodiment, the carbohydrate composition contains monomeric sugars and oligomeric sugars in a total amount of 95 to 99.9% by weight, or 96 to 99.8% by weight, or 97 to 99.7% by weight, or 98 to 99.6% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition. In one embodiment, the carbohydrate composition contains oligomeric sugars in an amount of 0.1 to 9% by weight, or 0.2 to 7% by weight, or 0.3 to 5% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition. Chromatographic treatment has the additional utility of reducing the amount of oligomeric sugars in the carbohydrate composition derived from hardwood.

[0035] The expression that the sugar is an "oligomer" should be understood in this specification, unless otherwise specified, to refer to a sugar molecule composed of two or more monomers bonded or linked to each other.

[0036] The oligomeric C5 sugar may be xylose and / or arabinose. The oligomeric C6 sugar may be glucose, galactose, mannose, fructose and / or rhamnose.

[0037] In one embodiment, the carbohydrate composition contains monomeric C6 sugar in an amount of 15 to 30% by weight, or 18 to 28% by weight, based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition.

[0038] In one embodiment, the monomeric sugars include monomeric glucose and monomeric xylose, and the weight ratio of monomeric glucose to monomeric xylose is 0.067 to 0.2, or 0.08 to 0.17, or 0.1 to 0.14. The inventors have surprisingly found that a carbohydrate composition derived from hardwood containing a high content of monomeric C5 sugar, especially a high ratio of monomeric xylose compared to monomeric glucose, can be produced by the method disclosed herein. By the method disclosed herein, C5 sugar may be efficiently recovered as a hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition.

[0039] The carbohydrate composition may contain organic impurities (including soluble lignin) in an amount of up to 2% by weight, or up to 1% by weight, or up to 0.5% by weight, or up to 0.25% by weight, based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition.

[0040] Examples of organic impurities include organic acids. Non-limiting examples of organic impurities are oxalic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, levulinic acid, 2-furoic acid, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), furfural, glycolaldehyde, glyceraldehyde, and various salts or esters of acetic acid, salts or esters of formic acid, and other salts or esters. The quality and amount of organic impurities in the carbohydrate composition may be determined, for example, using HPLC, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy, or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in combination with an appropriate detector, etc.

[0041] The carbohydrate composition may contain inorganic impurities. The carbohydrate composition may contain inorganic impurities in an amount of 0 to 0.1% by weight, or 0 to 0.05% by weight, or 0 to 0.02% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition. The inorganic impurities may be, for example, soluble inorganic compounds in the form of various salts. The inorganic impurities may be salts of elements from the group consisting of Al, As, B, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Se, Si, and Zn. The amount of inorganic impurities in the carbohydrate composition can be analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in accordance with Standard SFS-EN ISO11885:2009. Alternatively, ion chromatography (IC) may be used.

[0042] The method for producing the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition includes a step of providing a feedstock of hardwood-derived carbohydrates in the form of a liquid fraction having a total dry matter content of 7 to 13% by weight. Such a feedstock of hardwood-derived carbohydrates may be provided, for example, as follows.

[0043] First, a wood-based feedstock derived from wood-based raw materials and containing hardwood chips may be provided. Then, this wood-based feedstock may be subjected to pretreatment to form a slurry, and this pretreatment is a step of subjecting the wood-based feedstock to an impregnation treatment with an impregnating solution containing sulfuric acid, and this impregnation treatment is carried out at a temperature of 40 to 100 °C for 1 to 30 minutes, and A step of subjecting the impregnated wood-based feedstock to steam explosion treatment to form a steam-treated wood-based feedstock, wherein the amount of sulfuric acid in this steam explosion treatment is 0.10 to 0.75% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the wood-based feedstock, A step of mixing the steam-treated wood-based feedstock with a liquid to form the slurry, A step of separating the slurry into a liquid fraction and a fraction containing solid cellulose particles by a solid-liquid separation process, and recovering this liquid fraction as the feedstock of the hardwood-derived carbohydrate, which comprises.

[0044] The expression "pretreating" or "pretreatment" should be understood in this specification as a process carried out to convert a wood-based feedstock into a slurry that may be separated into a liquid fraction and a fraction containing solid cellulose particles, unless otherwise specified. That is, this liquid fraction may be separated from the fraction containing solid cellulose particles. The fraction containing solid cellulose particles may further contain a certain amount of lignocellulose particles and free-form lignin particles. Lignocellulose contains lignin chemically bonded to cellulose particles.

[0045] The wood-based raw material may be derived from, for example, beech, oak, eucalyptus, ash, oak, maple, cherry, willow, aspen, or poplar. The wood-based raw material may be any combination or mixture of these.

[0046] Generally, wood and wood-based raw materials are essentially composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and extractives. Cellulose is a polysaccharide consisting of a chain of glucose units. Hemicellulose contains polysaccharides such as xylan, mannan, and glucan.

[0047] Providing a wood-based feedstock may include subjecting the wood-based raw material to mechanical processing selected from debarking, chipping, splitting, cutting, beating, grinding, crushing, tearing, sieving, and / or washing the wood-based raw material to form the wood-based feedstock. During this mechanical processing, for example, logs of wood can be debarked and / or wood chips of a specified size and structure can be formed. The formed wood chips can also be washed, for example, with water to remove, for example, sand, gravel, and stone from the formed wood chips. Further, the structure of the wood chips may be loosened before the pretreatment step. The wood-based feedstock may contain a specific amount of bark from logs of wood.

[0048] Providing a wood-based feedstock may include purchasing the wood-based feedstock. The purchased wood-based feedstock may include purchased wood chips or sawdust derived from the wood-based raw material.

[0049] The pretreatment of the wood-based feedstock may include one or more different pretreatment steps. During the different pretreatment steps, the wood-based feedstock varies accordingly. The purpose of the pretreatment step is to form a slurry for further processing.

[0050] The pretreatment may include subjecting the wood-based feedstock to pre-steaming. The pretreatment may include subjecting the wood-based feedstock received from the mechanical processing to pre-steaming. The pretreatment may include subjecting the wood-based feedstock to pre-steaming to form a pre-steamed wood-based feedstock before subjecting it to an impregnation treatment. The pretreatment may include an impregnation treatment and a steam explosion treatment, and may include subjecting the wood-based feedstock to pre-steaming before subjecting the wood-based feedstock to the impregnation treatment and the subsequent steam explosion treatment.

[0051] The pre-steam treatment of the wood-based feedstock may be carried out at atmospheric pressure using steam having a temperature of 100 to 130 °C. During the pre-steam treatment, the wood-based feedstock is treated with low-pressure steam. The pre-steam treatment may be carried out using steam having a temperature of less than 100 °C, or less than 98 °C, or less than 95 °C. The pre-steam treatment has the additional utility of reducing or removing air from inside the wood-based feedstock. The pre-steam treatment may be carried out in at least one pre-steam treatment reactor.

[0052] The pretreatment may include subjecting the wood-based feedstock to an impregnation treatment with an impregnating liquid containing sulfuric acid. The impregnating liquid may consist of sulfuric acid and water. The impregnating liquid may contain sulfuric acid in an amount of up to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the impregnating liquid. By subjecting the wood-based feedstock to the impregnation treatment, an impregnated wood-based feedstock containing sulfuric acid in an amount of at least 0.5% by weight, based on the total dry matter content of the wood-based feedstock, may be formed.

[0053] The impregnation treatment may be carried out on the wood-based feedstock received from the mechanical treatment and / or the pre-steam treatment. The wood-based feedstock may be transferred to the impregnation treatment from the mechanical treatment and / or the pre-steam treatment using a feeder. The feeder may be a screw feeder such as a plug screw feeder. The feeder may compress the wood-based feedstock during transfer. Then when the wood-based feedstock enters the impregnation treatment, the wood-based feedstock may expand and absorb the impregnating liquid.

[0054] The sulfuric acid may be dilute sulfuric acid. The total amount of acid added to the wood-based feedstock may be 0.3 to 5.0% w / w, 0.5 to 3.0% w / w, 0.6 to 2.5% w / w, 0.7 to 1.9% w / w, or 1.0 to 1.6% w / w, based on the total dry matter content of the wood-based feedstock. The impregnating liquid may act as a catalyst affecting the hydrolysis of hemicellulose in the wood-based feedstock. In one embodiment, the sulfuric acid catalyzes the hydrolysis of hemicellulose in the wood-based feedstock to monomeric sugars.

[0055] The impregnation treatment may be performed in at least one impregnation reactor or impregnation vessel. In one embodiment, two or more impregnation reactors are used. The transfer from one impregnation reactor to another may be carried out using a screw feeder.

[0056] The impregnation treatment may be carried out by conveying the wood-based feedstock through at least one impregnation reactor at least partially filled with an impregnating liquid, i.e., the wood-based feedstock is transferred to the impregnation reactor, where it sinks into the impregnating liquid and may be transferred from the impregnation reactor so that the wood-based feedstock is uniformly impregnated with the impregnating liquid. As a result of the impregnation treatment, an impregnated wood-based feedstock is formed. The impregnation treatment may be carried out as a batch process or continuously.

[0057] The residence time of the wood-based feedstock in the impregnation reactor, i.e., the time during which the wood-based feedstock is in contact with the impregnating liquid, may be 1 to 30 minutes. The temperature of the impregnating liquid may be, for example, 20 to 99 °C, or 40 to 95 °C, or 60 to 93 °C. Keeping the temperature of the impregnating liquid below 100 °C has the additional advantage of preventing or reducing the dissolution of hemicellulose. In one embodiment, the impregnation treatment is carried out at a temperature of 80 to 100 °C, or 90 to 99 °C for 1 to 30 minutes.

[0058] After the impregnation treatment, the impregnated wood-based feedstock may remain in a storage tank or silo, for example, for a predetermined period of time in order to stabilize the impregnating liquid absorbed by the wood-based feedstock. This predetermined time may be 15 to 60 minutes, or, for example, about 30 minutes.

[0059] In one embodiment, the wood-based feedstock is subjected to an impregnation treatment with dilute sulfuric acid having a concentration of 1.32% w / w and a temperature of 92 °C.

[0060] The pretreatment may include subjecting the wood-based feedstock to steam explosion treatment. The wood-based feedstock from the impregnation treatment may be subjected to steam explosion treatment. That is, the pretreatment may include subjecting the impregnated wood-based feedstock to steam explosion treatment to form a steam-treated wood-based feedstock.

[0061] Therefore, the pretreatment may include subjecting the wood-based material to mechanical treatment to form a wood-based feedstock, subjecting the wood-based feedstock to pre-steam treatment to form a pre-steam-treated feedstock, subjecting the pre-steam-treated wood-based feedstock to impregnation treatment to form an impregnated wood-based feedstock, and subjecting the impregnated wood-based feedstock to steam explosion treatment. In one embodiment, the pretreatment in ii) includes pre-steam treatment of the wood-based feedstock, impregnation treatment of the pre-steam-treated wood-based feedstock, and steam explosion treatment of the impregnated wood-based feedstock. In one embodiment, the pretreatment in ii) includes impregnation treatment of the wood-based feedstock and steam explosion treatment of the impregnated wood-based feedstock. That is, the wood-based feedstock subjected to impregnation treatment may then be subjected to steam explosion treatment. Also, the wood-based feedstock subjected to pre-steam treatment may be subjected to impregnation treatment, and then the impregnated wood-based feedstock subjected to impregnation treatment may be subjected to steam explosion treatment.

[0062] The wood-based feedstock can be stored, for example, in a chip bin or a silo between different treatments. Alternatively, the wood-based feedstock may be transported from one treatment to another in a continuous manner.

[0063] The pretreatment may include subjecting the impregnated wood-based feedstock to steam explosion treatment to form a steam-treated wood-based feedstock. The amount of sulfuric acid in the steam explosion treatment may be 0.10 to 0.75% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the wood-based feedstock. The steam explosion treatment may be carried out by treating the impregnated wood-based feedstock with steam having a temperature of 130 to 240 °C, or 180 to 200 °C, or 185 to 195 °C under a pressure of 0.17 to 3.25 MPaG, and then suddenly depressurizing the feedstock explosively. The feedstock may be treated with steam for 1 to 20 minutes, or 1 to 18 minutes, or 2 to 15 minutes, or 4 to 13 minutes, or 3 to 10 minutes, or 3 to 8 minutes, and then a sudden explosive depressurization of the steam-treated wood-based feedstock may be carried out.

[0064] In this specification, the term "steam explosion treatment" may refer to a process of hemihydrolysis in which the feedstock is treated in a reactor (steam explosion reactor) with steam having a temperature of 130 to 240 °C, or 180 to 200 °C, or 185 to 195 °C under a pressure of 0.17 to 3.25 MPaG, and then a sudden explosive depressurization of the feedstock occurs, as a result of which the fiber structure of the feedstock ruptures.

[0065] In one embodiment, the amount of sulfuric acid in the steam explosion treatment may be 0.10 to 0.75% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the wood-based feedstock. The amount of acid present during the steam explosion treatment may be determined by measuring the sulfur content of the liquid of the steam-treated wood-based feedstock or the liquid portion of the steam-treated wood-based feedstock after the steam explosion treatment. The amount of sulfuric acid in the steam explosion reactor may be determined by subtracting the amount of sulfur in the wood-based feedstock from the measured amount of total sulfur in the steam-treated wood-based feedstock.

[0066] The steam explosion treatment may be carried out in a pressure reactor. The steam explosion treatment may be carried out in a pressure reactor by treating the impregnated wood-based feedstock with steam having a temperature of 130 to 240 °C, or 180 to 200 °C, or 185 to 195 °C under a pressure of 0.17 to 3.25 MPaG, and then suddenly depressurizing this feedstock. The impregnated wood-based feedstock may be introduced into the pressure reactor using a compression conveyor, such as a screw feeder. When a screw feeder is used, during transportation by the screw feeder, the acid in liquid form is removed, and a part of the impregnating liquid absorbed by the feedstock is removed as pressate, but most of it remains in the feedstock. The impregnated wood-based feedstock may be introduced into the pressure reactor together with steam and / or gas. The pressure of the pressure reactor can be controlled by adding steam. The pressure reactor may operate in a continuous mode or as a batch process. The impregnated wood-based feedstock, for example, the wood-based feedstock subjected to the impregnation treatment, may be introduced into the pressure reactor at a temperature of 25 to 140 °C. The residence time of the feedstock in the pressure reactor may be 0.5 to 120 minutes. The term "residence time" should be understood in this specification, unless otherwise specified, as the time between when the feedstock is introduced into or enters the pressure reactor and when the feedstock exits or is discharged from the pressure reactor.

[0067] As a result of the semi-hydrolysis of the wood-based feedstock affected by the steam explosion treatment in the reactor, the hemicellulose present in the wood-based feedstock may be hydrolyzed or decomposed into, for example, oligomers and / or monomers of xylose. Hemicellulose contains polysaccharides such as xylan, mannan, and glucan. Thus, xylan is hydrolyzed into xylose, which is a monosaccharide. In one embodiment, 87 to 95%, or 89 to 93%, or 90 to 92% of the xylan present in the impregnated wood-based feedstock is converted into xylose.

[0068] Accordingly, steam explosion of the feedstock may result in the formation of an output stream. The output stream from the steam explosion may be subjected to steam separation. The output stream from the steam explosion may be mixed or combined with a liquid, such as water. The output stream of the steam explosion may be mixed with a liquid to form a slurry. This liquid may be pure water or water containing C5 sugars. The water containing C5 sugars may be recycled water from separating and / or washing a fraction containing solid cellulose particles prior to enzymatic hydrolysis. The output stream may be mixed with the above liquid, and the resulting mass may be mechanically homogenized to break up aggregates. The pretreatment may include mixing the steam-treated wood-based feedstock with a liquid to form a slurry.

[0069] Accordingly, as a result of the pretreatment, a slurry may thus be formed. This slurry may include a liquid phase and a solid phase. The slurry may include solid cellulose particles. The slurry may be separated into a liquid fraction and a fraction containing solid cellulose particles.

[0070] The method may include separating the liquid fraction and the fraction containing solid cellulose particles by a solid-liquid separation process and recovering the liquid fraction as a feedstock for hardwood-derived carbohydrates. The solid-liquid separation process may include washing. The washing may be continued until the amount of soluble organic components in the fraction containing solid cellulose particles reaches 0.5 to 5 wt%, or 1 to 4 wt%, or 1.5 to 3 wt% based on the total dry matter content.

[0071] Separating the liquid fraction and the fraction containing solid cellulose particles may be performed by displacement washing or countercurrent washing. Accordingly, the solid-liquid separation process may be selected from displacement washing and countercurrent washing.

[0072] Displacement washing, or in other words replacement washing, is a method of separating solids from liquids using a relatively small amount of washing liquid. Therefore, displacement washing may be considered an operation capable of washing solid particles with a minimum amount of washing liquid such as water.

[0073] In countercurrent washing, the washing liquid such as water flows in the opposite direction to the generally forward movement of the fraction containing solid cellulose particles. Similar to the case of displacement washing, countercurrent washing may also significantly reduce the consumption of the washing liquid.

[0074] Countercurrent washing may include at least two solid-liquid separation steps and one dilution with a washing solution between those steps. The washing solution may be clean water. The amount of water required may vary depending on the total number of solid-liquid separation steps carried out, the total dry matter content in the feed of the solid-liquid separation step, and the total dry matter content in the fraction containing solid cellulose particles after each solid-liquid separation step.

[0075] The washing liquid may be fresh washing water or recycled washing water. The washing water may be fresh water, drinking water, or a sugar-containing liquid with a low sugar content. The electrical conductivity of the washing liquid may be about 0.1 mS / cm.

[0076] The ratio of the washing liquid used to the solids may be 0.5:1 to 8:1 (w / w), or 0.5:1 to 5:1 (w / w), or 0.5:1 to 3:1 (w / w), or 0.5:1 to 2:1 (w / w) in the case of displacement washing. The ratio of the washing liquid used to the solids may be 0.5:1 to 8:1 (w / w), or 0.5:1 to 5:1 (w / w) in the case of countercurrent washing.

[0077] The progress of the displacement washing and the countercurrent washing may be monitored by measuring the electrical conductivity of the liquid fraction recovered from this process. When the electrical conductivity of the liquid fraction is below a predetermined threshold of 0.35 mS / cm, it may be concluded that a desired amount of C5 sugar and other soluble impurities have been removed from the fraction containing the solid cellulose particles, and the washing may be terminated. In one embodiment, the washing is continued until the electrical conductivity of the liquid fraction reaches 0.1 to 1.0 mS / cm or 0.2 to 0.5 mS / cm.

[0078] Alternatively, the above separation may be carried out by filtration, decantation, and / or centrifugation. The filtration may be vacuum filtration, filtration based on the use of reduced pressure, filtration based on the use of overpressure, or a filter press. The decantation may be repeated to improve the separation.

[0079] The above separation and / or washing may, if necessary, concentrate the liquid fraction, i.e., the feedstock of the hardwood-derived carbohydrate, to provide the feedstock of the hardwood-derived carbohydrate in the form of a liquid fraction having a total dry matter content of 7 to 13% by weight, and may include, for example, recycling of the washing liquid.

[0080] Thus, the method for producing the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition includes a step of providing a feedstock of the hardwood-derived carbohydrate in the form of a liquid fraction having a total dry matter content of 7 to 13% by weight.

[0081] The carbohydrate feedstock derived from hardwood may contain monomeric sugars in an amount of 50 to 80% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the feedstock. The amount of monomeric xylose in the feedstock may be 40 to 60% by weight. In the carbohydrate feedstock derived from hardwood, the weight ratio of monomeric glucose to monomeric xylose may be 0.067 to 0.2. The carbohydrate feedstock derived from hardwood may contain soluble lignin in an amount of 5 to 15% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the feedstock. The carbohydrate feedstock derived from hardwood may contain organic impurities in an amount of 6 to 30% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the feedstock. The carbohydrate feedstock derived from hardwood may contain carboxylic acids in an amount of 5 to 20% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the feedstock. The carbohydrate feedstock derived from hardwood may contain inorganic impurities in an amount of 0 to 6% by weight, or 0.1 to 3% by weight, or 0.2 to 2% by weight, or 0.3 to 1% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the feedstock.

[0082] Next, the pH of the carbohydrate feedstock derived from hardwood may be adjusted to a pH value of 2.2 to 3.0. The pH value may be adjusted using, for example, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or the like. Adjusting the pH value before evaporation to a value of 2.2 to 3.0 has the additional utility of reducing or preventing precipitation of lignin that may be present in the feedstock during evaporation. Furthermore, by adjusting the pH value, it can be ensured that organic acids that may be present in the feedstock are removed together with the condensate.

[0083] Next, the above feedstock having a pH value of 2.2 to 3.0 may be subjected to evaporation. Evaporation may be carried out by using steam having a temperature of 75 to 85°C, or 77 to 83°C, or about 79°C in a vacuum. The temperature of the feedstock may be 65 to 70°C, or 67 to 69°C during evaporation. Evaporation may be continued until the total dry matter content of the feedstock after evaporation becomes 45 to 55% by weight.

[0084] After evaporation, the pH of the feedstock after evaporation is adjusted to a pH value of 5.5 to 7.5. This pH adjustment has the additional utility of assisting in the efficient implementation of chromatographic processing.

[0085] Next, the pH-adjusted feedstock after evaporation may be subjected to chromatographic processing using a strong acid cation exchange resin.

[0086] This strong acid cation exchange resin is a bead-shaped product having a sulfonic acid group in a crosslinked styrene backbone. This strong acid cation exchange resin may be in the Na + form or the H + form. In one embodiment, the strong acid cation exchange resin is in the Na + form. The strong acid cation exchange resin in the Na + form may have a polystyrene structure crosslinked with divinylbenzene groups. The average particle size (particle diameter) may be 350 μm. The sulfonic acid may function as a functional group.

[0087] In one embodiment, the chromatographic processing is carried out using either simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography or a variant form of simulated moving bed chromatography. Intermitted simulated moving bed chromatography (ISMB) and smart simulated moving bed chromatography (SSMB) may be cited as examples of such variant forms.

[0088] In one embodiment, the chromatography process is carried out as a one-step process. That is, the feedstock of hardwood-derived carbohydrates is subjected to the chromatography process once and then followed by the next step. This one-step chromatography process may be carried out by using one column or several consecutive columns. The flow rate through one column or multiple columns may be 1 to 3 bed volumes per hour. Water may be used as the elution solution.

[0089] The chromatography process has additional utility, for example, in reducing the color value caused by lignin present in the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition and in reducing the amounts of organic salts, inorganic salts, and metals in the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition. The purpose of the chromatography process is not to fractionate or separate the saccharides of the feedstock, but to remove undesirable components.

[0090] After the chromatography process, the chromatographed feedstock may be subjected to a decolorization process. In one embodiment, the decolorization process is carried out by subjecting the feedstock to anion exchange treatment, filtration using a membrane, or granular activated carbon treatment, or a combination of any of these. Granular activated carbon, or in other words, granular activated carbon, may be considered as activated carbon retained on a 50-mesh sieve. The particle size of the granular activated carbon may be 0.2 to 2 mm, or 0.3 to 1.5 mm. These have the additional utility of removing soluble lignin that affects the color of the feedstock.

[0091] Next, the decolorized feedstock of hardwood-derived carbohydrates may be subjected to an ion exchange process.

[0092] In one embodiment, the ion exchange process subjects the feedstock to viia) a cation exchange resin, viib) a strong anion exchange resin, and viic) a weak anion exchange resin This includes processing in the order of viia), then viib), and then viic).

[0093] Ion exchange resins of different types may be filled in separate columns. The flow direction of the feedstock through the columns follows the above order, with a cation exchange resin first, then a strong anion exchange resin, and a weak anion exchange resin being the last ion exchange resin.

[0094] A regeneration solution may be used to regenerate the decolorization and ion exchange resins. The regeneration solution may pass through the decolorization and ion exchange resins at predetermined intervals. For example, a sulfuric acid solution or a hydrochloric acid solution may be used to regenerate the cation exchange resin. For example, a sodium hydroxide solution may be used to regenerate the anion exchange resin.

[0095] After the ion exchange treatment, the ion-exchanged feedstock may be subjected to evaporation. This evaporation may also be referred to as final evaporation. The evaporation may be carried out by using steam having a temperature of 75 - 85°C, or 77 - 83°C, or about 79°C in a vacuum. The temperature of the feedstock may be 65 - 70°C, or 67 - 69°C during evaporation.

[0096] The evaporation may be continued until the total dry matter content of the feedstock reaches 30 - 80% by weight. The evaporation has the additional utility of affecting the amount of organic acid that may be removed from the feedstock. Further, evaporating the feedstock until the total dry matter content of the feedstock reaches, for example, 60 - 70% by weight has the additional utility of being beneficial for storing and transporting the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition.

[0097] The method disclosed herein has the additional utility of providing a hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition having a high content of monomeric sugars, especially monomeric xylose.

[0098] The method disclosed herein has the additional utility of providing a hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition with a reduced amount of soluble lignin, thereby reducing the risk of lignin precipitation during storage and transportation of the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition.

[0099] The method disclosed herein also has the additional utility of providing a hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition with a reduced amount of inorganic impurities, such as metals.

[0100] The hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition has properties that make the composition itself useful, for example, in ethanol fermentation or glycol fermentation. The hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition has the additional utility of meeting the purity characteristics required for use in a catalytic hydrogenation process, for example, for the production of glycol or sugar alcohol. Further, this hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition may be used to recover rare sugars, such as rhamnose. The hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition has the additional utility of meeting the purity characteristics required for further use in a process for producing a sweetener, such as xylitol.

Examples

[0101] Reference is now made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0102] The following description discloses some embodiments in as much detail as is necessary for a person skilled in the art to be able to utilize the above method based on the present disclosure. Since many of the steps of the above embodiments will be apparent to a person skilled in the art based on the present disclosure, not all steps of the embodiments will be discussed in detail.

[0103] Example 1 - Production of a Hardwood-Derived Carbohydrate Composition In this example, a hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition was prepared.

[0104] First, a wood-based feedstock containing beech wood chips was prepared. Then, this wood-based feedstock was subjected to pretreatment as follows.

[0105] The above wood-based feedstock was subjected to pre-steam treatment. The pre-steam treatment of the wood-based feedstock was carried out at atmospheric pressure for 180 minutes using steam having a temperature of 100 °C. Subsequently, the pre-steamed feedstock was subjected to impregnation treatment with dilute sulfuric acid having a concentration of 1.32% w / w and a temperature of 92 °C. The pre-steamed wood-based feedstock was allowed to be affected by the impregnating liquid for 30 minutes. Subsequently, the acid-impregnated wood-based feedstock was subjected to steam explosion treatment. This steam explosion treatment was carried out by treating the impregnated wood-based feedstock with steam having a temperature of 191 °C and then suddenly depressurizing the wood-based feedstock to atmospheric pressure. The amount of sulfuric acid in the steam explosion reactor was 0.33% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the wood-based feedstock. In the determination of the amount of sulfuric acid, the sulfur content of the wood was 0.02% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the wood used.

[0106] In the pretreatment, the conversion rate of xylan in the wood-based feedstock to xylose was 91%, and the ratio of solubilized glucose to solubilized xylose, as determined by HPLC-RI as detailed below, was 0.14. Subsequently, the steam-treated wood-based feedstock was mixed with water in a mixing vessel.

[0107] As a result of the above pretreatment steps, a slurry was formed. This slurry contained a liquid fraction and a fraction containing solid cellulose particles. Subsequently, this slurry was separated into a liquid fraction and a fraction containing solid cellulose particles by a solid-liquid separation process. The solid-liquid separation process was countercurrent washing in this example. Countercurrent washing was continued until the amount of soluble components in the fraction containing solid cellulose particles reached 2.0% by weight based on the total dry matter content. The dry solid content of the fraction containing solid cellulose particles was 32% by weight after washing. The total dry matter content of the liquid fraction was 9% by weight.

[0108] The above liquid fraction was recovered as a feedstock for hardwood-derived carbohydrates. Subsequently, the pH of this feedstock for hardwood-derived carbohydrates was adjusted to a pH value of 2.9 by using sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Then, the feedstock was evaporated until the total dry matter content of the feedstock reached about 50% by weight. The temperature of the steam used for evaporation was 79 °C in a vacuum. The temperature of the feedstock during evaporation was 68 °C.

[0109] Subsequently, the pH of the feedstock after evaporation was adjusted to a pH value of 6.0 by using sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

[0110] Subsequently, the pH-adjusted feedstock was subjected to chromatography treatment using a simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatograph with a strong acid cation exchange resin in the form of Na + (average particle size 350 μm). The chromatography treatment was carried out using a 1-column system at a flow rate of 2 bed volumes per hour through the column.

[0111] Next, the feedstock was subjected to decolorization treatment with an anion exchange resin.

[0112] After the decolorization treatment, the feedstock was subjected to ion exchange treatment by using a cation exchange resin first, then a strong anion exchange resin, and finally a weak anion exchange resin.

[0113] The regeneration solution was passed every 30th bed volume during the decolorization treatment by using a 1% NaOH solution and a 10% NaCl solution. The regeneration of the ion exchange resin used in the ion exchange treatment was also carried out every 30th bed volume. A 5% sulfuric acid solution was used to regenerate the cation exchange resin, and a 5% sodium hydroxide solution was used for the anion exchange resin. After regeneration, the resin was rinsed with water before feeding the feedstock to the treatment.

[0114] After the ion exchange treatment, the feedstock was evaporated until the total dry matter content of the feedstock reached 65% by weight. The temperature of the steam used for evaporation was 79 °C in a vacuum. As a result, a hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition was formed.

[0115] The recovered hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition was analyzed by HPLC-RI using a Waters e2695 Alliance Separation module, a Waters 2998 Photodiode Array, and a Waters 2414 Refractive Index detector. Separation was achieved using a 300 mm × 7.8 mm Bio-Rad Aminex HPX-87 column equipped in series with a Micro-Guard Deashing column and a Carbo-P guard column. Ultra-pure water was used as the eluent.

[0116] The amount of oligomeric sugars in the sample was determined by hydrolyzing the oligomeric sugars to monomeric sugars by acid hydrolysis, analyzing the acid-hydrolyzed sample by HPLC-RI, and comparing the results with those of the non-hydrolyzed sample. The amount of oligomeric sugars was calculated by subtracting the amount of monomeric sugars in the untreated sample.

[0117] The results are shown in the following table.

[0118]

Table 1

[0119] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, with the progress of technology, the basic idea may be implemented in various ways. Accordingly, the embodiments are not limited to the above examples, and instead, the embodiments may vary within the scope of the claims.

[0120] The embodiments described so far in this specification may be used in any combination with each other. Some of the embodiments may be combined together to form further embodiments. The hardwood-derived carbohydrate compositions, methods, or uses disclosed herein may include at least one of the embodiments described above in this specification. It will be understood that the above benefits and advantages may relate to one embodiment or to several embodiments. Embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. Further, it will be understood that references to "a" item refer to one or more of these items. The term "comprising" is used herein to mean including the feature or act recited after the term "comprising" (before the term "including") without precluding the presence of one or more additional features or acts.

Claims

1. A broadleaf tree-derived carbohydrate composition comprising 88 to 99.75% by weight of monomer sugars based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition, wherein the monomer sugars comprise monomer xylose, the amount of monomer xylose in the carbohydrate composition is 55 to 85% by weight based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition, and the carbonyl content of the carbohydrate composition is 10 to 1500 μg / g based on the total dry matter content of the carbohydrate composition.

2. The broadleaf tree-derived carbohydrate composition according to claim 1, wherein the amount of monomer xylose in the carbohydrate composition is 60 to 80% by weight, or 62.5 to 75% by weight, based on the total dry content of the carbohydrate composition.

3. The broadleaf tree-derived carbohydrate composition according to claim 1, wherein the carbonyl content of the carbohydrate composition is 15 to 1000 μg / g, or 20 to 750 μg / g, or 25 to 500 μg / g, or 30 to 300 μg / g, based on the total dry content of the carbohydrate composition.

4. The carbohydrate composition is a broadleaf tree-derived carbohydrate composition according to claim 1, which exhibits an ICUMSA color value of 10 to 2500 IU, or 20 to 2000 IU, or 30 to 1500 IU, or 40 to 1000 IU, or 50 to 500 IU.

5. The broadleaf tree-derived carbohydrate composition according to claim 1, wherein the carbohydrate composition comprises 0.05 to 2.0% by weight, or 0.1 to 1.5% by weight, or 0.15 to 1.0% by weight, or 0.15 to 0.50% by weight of soluble lignin, based on the total dry content of the carbohydrate composition.

6. The hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition according to claim 1, wherein the electrical conductivity of a 65% aqueous solution of the carbohydrate composition is 0.1 to 30 μS / cm, or 0.2 to 20 μS / cm, or 0.3 to 10 μS / cm, 0.4 to 5 μS / cm, or 0.5 to 2.5 μS / cm, as determined according to SFS-EN 27888.

7. The broadleaf tree-derived carbohydrate composition according to claim 1, wherein the carbohydrate composition comprises 0.2 to 7% by weight, or 0.4 to 5% by weight, or 0.6 to 3% by weight of rhamnose, based on the total dry content of the carbohydrate composition.

8. The broadleaf tree-derived carbohydrate composition according to claim 1, comprising a carboxylic acid in an amount of up to 1.5% by weight, or up to 1% by weight, or up to 0.5% by weight, or up to 0.25% by weight, or up to 0.1% by weight, based on the total dry content of the carbohydrate composition.

9. A method for producing a broadleaf tree-derived carbohydrate composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, i) A step of providing a raw material for supplying hardwood-derived carbohydrates in the form of a liquid fraction having a total dry matter content of 7 to 13% by weight, ii) A step of adjusting the pH of the raw material for supplying broadleaf tree-derived carbohydrates to a pH value of 2.2 to 3.0, iii) A step of evaporating the supply raw material having a pH value of 2.2 to 3.0 until the total dry matter content of the supply raw material is 45 to 55% by weight, iv) A step of adjusting the pH of the supplied raw material after evaporation to a pH value of 5.5 to 7.5, v) A step of subjecting the supply raw material having a pH value of 5.5 to 7.5 to chromatographic treatment using a strong acid cation exchange resin, vi) A step of subjecting the chromatographically treated feedstock to a decolorization treatment, vii) A step of subjecting the supply raw material of hardwood-derived carbohydrates subjected to decolorization treatment to ion exchange treatment, viiii) A step of evaporating the ion-exchange treated feed material until the total dry matter content of the feed material is 30 to 80% by weight. A method for producing the broadleaf tree-derived carbohydrate composition, comprising the above-mentioned broadleaf tree-derived carbohydrate composition.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the decolorization treatment is carried out by subjecting the supply raw material to anion exchange treatment, filtration using a membrane, granular activated carbon treatment, or a combination thereof.

11. The ion exchange treatment uses the supplied raw materials viaa) Cation exchange resin, viib) Strong anion exchange resin, and viic) Weak anion exchange resin The method according to claim 9, which further includes processing in the order of first viia), then viib), then viic).

12. Use of the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for the recovery of rare sugars in a catalytic hydrogenation process for producing sugar alcohols and / or glycols in a fermentation process, or for the production of sweeteners.

13. The use according to claim 12, wherein the fermentation process is ethanol fermentation or glycol fermentation.

14. The use according to claim 12, wherein the production of the sweetener includes the crystallization of xylose from the broadleaf tree-derived carbohydrate composition.

15. The method according to claim 9 for reducing the amount of soluble lignin in a hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition in order to reduce lignin precipitation during storage and / or transport of the hardwood-derived carbohydrate composition.